As a member of the church, you have no doubt been confronted with the question, “Are Mormons Christian?” If you are a friend or critic of the church you may have asked this question yourself. One thing is clear, no matter which side of the discussion you are on, this question can evoke a range of emotions. With the increased media attention the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has received lately, the question “Are Mormons Christians?” has been asked with greater frequency, and the debate rages on.
In 1842 when Joseph Smith, Jr penned the ‘Wentworth Letter’ in response to an inquiry by the editor of the Chicago Democrat, he declared:
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
This declaration, later know as the first of thirteen Articles of Faith, clearly sets forth a principle belief in Jesus Christ. As a member of the church it could not be more simple, yet many would argue otherwise. Why then, does the Church’s stance that Mormons are Christians become the subject of such controversy?
In this post on the Washington Post-Newsweek On Faith blog, Michael Otterson, director of media relations for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints writes:
When some conservative Protestants say Mormons aren’t Christian, it is deeply offensive to Latter-day Saints. Yet when Latter-day Saints assert their Christianity, some of those same Christians bitterly resent it. Why? Because both sides are using the same terms to describe different things.
Otterson explores these terms and descriptions and puts them each into context based on different points of view. Having found myself in the position of responding to this question throughout the years, my reply has always been, we believe in Jesus Christ, therefore we are Christian… I mean it’s right there in the name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I realize however, that I never offer to explain much more about what I take to be a simple fact.
Although the ideas expressed by Otterson are not new, they have caused me to more clearly think about the roots of this important question, and how I might better prepare a more informative response when faced with the question, “Are Mormons Christians?”.
How do you respond when asked, “Are Mormons Christians?” Let’s talk about it in the forums.
Tags: articles of faith, faith articles, jesus christ, latter day saints, lds, mormon, mormons, mormons christians comparison
